Stop bloodshed in Benue, Aondoakaa tells government after fresh Katsina-Ala attack

Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), has condemned the renewed attack on Saai Community in Mbajir Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, where several residents were reportedly killed by suspected armed attackers.

Aondoakaa described the latest incident as another tragic reminder of the worsening security situation in Benue State, lamenting the continued loss of innocent lives and the displacement of thousands of people from their ancestral homes.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Media Assistant, Mr. James Ian, the PDP governorship flagbearer expressed deep shock and sorrow over the massacre, calling on security agencies to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

He extended his condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Saai Community, Mbajir Ward and the entire Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.

Aondoakaa also condemned similar attacks in Agatu, Guma, Gwer West, Kwande and other parts of Benue State, noting that the persistent violence has continued to claim innocent lives and worsen the humanitarian crisis across the state.

He recalled that barely a fortnight ago, Benue witnessed another tragedy in the Benue South Senatorial District, where the state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Mohammed Ardo Risku, and Yakubu Isa were reportedly killed by suspected gunmen.

According to him, the recurrence of such attacks underscores the urgent need for stronger and more coordinated security measures to protect lives and property.
While condemning Wednesday’s attack in Katsina-Ala, Aondoakaa maintained that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of every government, as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He therefore called on the Benue State Government to live up to its constitutional responsibility by taking proactive and practical measures to safeguard communities rather than allowing them to remain vulnerable to terrorists, bandits and other armed criminal groups.

The senior advocate argued that the state government has no justification for failing to secure the people, particularly at a time when states are receiving significantly increased allocations following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the additional resources were intended to strengthen governance and improve states’ capacity to address security challenges, making it unacceptable that many Benue communities continue to suffer repeated attacks with little evidence of an effective response.

Aondoakaa also referenced the recent remarks by the Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, who reportedly lamented that while some states provide substantial logistical and operational support to security agencies, Benue has yet to institutionalize such assistance.

He said the commander’s observations should serve as a wake-up call to the Benue State Government to demonstrate greater commitment through improved collaboration, logistics and investment in security operations.

The PDP governorship candidate further challenged the state government to account for the huge monthly security votes appropriated for the protection of lives and property.

He insisted that security votes should translate into visible support for security agencies, enhanced intelligence gathering, rapid emergency response and effective measures capable of preventing attacks, rather than existing merely as budgetary allocations without tangible results.

Aondoakaa urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the Saai killings, apprehend those responsible and ensure they face justice, stressing that every human life is sacred regardless of the victim’s identity.

He also expressed concern over the poor state of rural roads across Benue, warning that the collapse of critical infrastructure has continued to hinder the movement of troops and emergency responders to communities under attack.

According to him, accessible rural roads are not only essential for development but also strategic security assets that enable swift deployment of security personnel, timely emergency response and effective pursuit of criminal elements.

He called on the military, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to intensify ongoing operations across the state, bring the perpetrators of the Katsina-Ala attack and other violent crimes to justice, and ensure that no part of Benue remains under the control or threat of criminal groups.

Aondoakaa prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives in the attacks, including the MACBAN Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Ardo Risku, the victims of the Saai massacre and others killed in various communities across the state.

He also prayed that God would grant comfort to the bereaved families and speedy healing to those who survived the attacks.